Pipe wrench of the type that embodies opposed jaw-equipped arms with an adjusting screw therebetween



2.579.594 -EQUIPPED Dec. 25, 1951 B. L. LURIE PIPE WRENCH OF THE TYPE THAT EMBODIES OPPOSED JAW ARMS WITH AN ADJUSTING SCREW THEREBETWEEN Filed April 20, 1949 Patented Dec. 25, 1951 OFFICE PiPE WRENCH OF THE TYPE THAT EM- ponies OPPQ ED JAW-EQUIPPED ARMS WITH AN ADJUSTING scnnw THERE- BETWEEN Benjamin 1,. Lurie, Chicago, Ill. Application April 20, 1949, Serial No. 88,531

Qlaims. l

The present invention relates generally to Wrenches. Mor particularly the invention relates to that type of wrench which designed primarily for use in turning a pipe or like article and as its principal components or parts comprises: (1) an elongated housing-like body; (2) a handle which projects inwards from the inner end of the body; (3) a first arm which is connected fixedly to, and projects outwards irom, the outer end of the :body and is provided at its .outer end with a laterally extending, pivotally mounted, pipe-engaging jaw; 14') a second arm which is disposed in opposed relation with the first arm and embodies at its outerend axlaterally extending, pivotally mounted, pipe -engaging jaw; (5) an adjusting screw which is adapted to move the second arm .to and from the first arm for the purpose of adjusting the wrench to grip pipes of different diameters or sizes and has its tends pivotally connected ;by pivot pins to the central portions or the arms respectively, and (6) mechanism operative automatically in response to swinging .of the handle in a direction away from the second am after application of the jaws to a pipe to move the second azrm outwards away from the body and also-to swing or tilt the second arm in suchdirection as to cause its jaw to move towards the jawonthe first arm.

As evidenced by Letters Patent ;-No. 2301990,

granted to me on September ,24, 1946, it has heretofore been proposed in connection with a pipe wrench of the aforementioned type to connect the handle fixedly to the inner end of the body and to make the mechanism for automatically moving and tilting the second arm the form of an angularly disposed toggle link which has one end thereof pivotally connected to the inner end of-the second arm and its other end in pivotal relation with the outer end of the housinglike body and is so arrangedor inclined that its one end extends away from the adjusting screw and its other end extends towards the adjusting screw. Inpractice it has been found that a pipe wrench having a toggle :link of the aforementioned character as the mechanism for automatically moving and tilting the second arm is subject to the objection that the link does not operate positively and hence the jaw on the second arm after being applied to a pipe often slips in connection with swinging of the handle in a direction away from the second .arm.

One object of the invention is to provide a pipe wrench which is, animprovement upon, and

eliminates the objection to, previously designed twrench io iheys meeenerattvpeor aesienjand 2 is characterized by the fact that the handle is connected to th inner end of the housing-like body for limited pivotal movement in the plane of the body and jaw carrying arms and the mechanism for automatically moving the second arm outwards away from the handle and also swinging or tilting such arm so as to cause the jaw thereof to move towards the jaw on the first arm is operatively connected to the adjacent end of the handle in such manner that it is rendered eiTective when the handle is swung relatively to the body in a direction away from the second arm. By having the mechanism operatively connected to the handle outward and tilting movement of the second arm is positively obtained when the handle is initially swung in connection with a pipe turning operation and as a result the jaw on the second arm is precluded from slipping on the pipe.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pipe wrench of the last mentioned character in which the mechanism for automatically controlling combined outward and tilting movement of the second arm when the handle is swung relatively to the body in a direction away from the secondarm consists of an inverted T-shaped lever which is disposed in the housing-like body and has one of its legs pivotally connected to the body at a point adjacentthe inner end of the first jaw carrying arm, another of its legs pivotally connected to the inner end of the sec- Ohd arm, and its third leg fitting within-a notch in the adjacent end oithe handle.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a pipe wrench which is generally of new and improved construction, may be manufactured or ,iabricated at a comparativelyiow cost, elTctively and efliciently iulfills its intended purpose, and'is so constructed that it may be quickly and readily applied to, and removed from, a pipe or like article to be turned,

Otherobjects of theinvention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present In the drawing which accompanies and forms a partof this speoificationor disclosure and in which like letters andnumerals'of referencedenote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

,Figure 1 is a {Side elevation showing a pipe wrench embodying the invention with the handle swung toward the second arm and in the position it normally assumes preparatory to application of the jaws of the wrench to a pipe to be turned;

Figure 2 is a view partly in section and partly in side elevation showing the wrench after the handle has been swung relatively to the body in a direction away from the second arm and as a result of such swinging has caused the inverted T-shaped lever to move the second arm outwards away from the body and also to tilt the arm so as to cause the jaw thereon to move towards the jaw on the first arm;

Figure 3 is a bottom perspective of the second arm, i. e., the arm that is movable to and from the fixed arm in response to manipulation of the adjusting screw;

Figure 4 is a perspective of the jaw that is pivotally mounted on the outer end of the second arm;

Figure 5 is a perspective of the U-shaped clip which serves to anchor one end of the spring for retracting the jaw on the second arm and also to hold such jaw in pivotally connected relation with the outer end of the second arm; and

Figure 6 is a perspective of the inverted T- shaped lever constituting the automatic mechanism for controlling movement of the second arm in response to swinging of the handle relatively to the body in a direction away from the second arm.

The wrench which is shown in the drawings constitutes the preferred form or embodiment of the invention. It is primarily designed or adapted for use in turning a pipe p and as its principal parts comprises an elongated housing-like body It, a handle II, a pair of oppositely disposed arms I2 and I3, and a pair of pipe engaging jaws I4 and I5.

The body I0 is preferably in the form of a onepiece metallic casting and consists of a bottom wall I6, a pair of side walls I1 and a top wall I8. The two side walls are spaced a small distance apart and have the lower portions thereof joined to the side margins of the bottom wall and their upper portions joined to the side margins of the top wall. As shown in Figures 1 and 2 the body is horizontally elongated and is open at its ends.

The handle II is in the form of a one-piece forging or metallic casting and is adapted to have one end thereof gripped by the user in connection with use of the wrench for pipe turning purposes. The other end of the handle extends into the inner end portion of the interior of the body III.

and is pivotally connected to the adjacent portion of the body by way of a horizontal pivot pin I9. The latter permits the handle to swing up and down to a limited extent relatively to the body I0 of the wrench and has its ends fixedly mounted within aligned or registering circular holes 20 in the inner end portions of the side walls I? of the body. The central portion of the pivot pin I9 extends loosely through a circular hole 2I in the adjacent or proximal end of the handle I I.

The hole 21 is located a small distance inwards of the extremity of the proximal end of the handle and such extremity is provided with a notch 22. As shown in Figure 2 the notch is arcuate and extends lengthwise of the handle.

The arm I2 projects outwards from the outer lower corner of the wrench body I0 and has its inner end formed integrally with the outer end of the bottom wall I6 and the outer lower portions of the side walls H of the body. The cen- 4 tral portion of the arm I2 is shaped to form a substantially vertical socket 23. The latter extends completely through the arm I2 and has open ends. The outer end of the arm I2 is of reduced width or thickness, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The arm I3 overlies the arm I2 and is movable to and from the latter, as hereinafter described. The inner end of the arm I3 extends through the open outer end of the body and is disposed in the upper central portion of the interior of the body. The central portion of the arm I3 is shaped to form a substantially vertical socket 24 and this extends completely through the arm and is substantially vertically aligned with the socket 23 in the central portion of the arm I2. As will be noted from Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the movable arm I3 projects outwards a comparatively small distance beyond the fixed arm I2. An upstanding adjusting screw 25 serves as a medium or instrumentality for moving the arm I3 to and from the arm I2. This screw has its lower end disposed in the socket 23 andits upper end disposed in the socket .24. The lower end of the screw 25 has a right hand screw thread 26 and extends through a threaded hole in the central portion of a transversely extending pivot pin 21. The ends of this pivot pin are journalled or rotatably mounted in a pair of coaxial or aligned circular holes 28 in the sides of the socket defining central portion of the fixed arm I2. The pivot pin 21 permits the adjusting screw 25 to swing back and forth between the outer end of the arm I2 and the outer end of the body It. The upper end of the adjusting screw is provided with a left hand screw thread 29 and extends through a threaded hole in the central portion of a transversely extending pivot pin 36. The ends of the pivot pin 30 are journalled or rotatably mounted in a pair of coaxial holes 3I in the sides of the socket defining central portion of the arm I3. The central portion of the adjusting screw 25 is provided with an enlarged cylindrical knob 32 for screw turning purposes. When the screw is turned in one direction the arm. I3 moves towards the fixed arm I2 and when the screw is reversely turned or rotated the arm I3 is moved away from the fixed arm. By turning the adjusting screw 25 the arms I2 and I3 may be adjusted to receive pipes of different diameters. The pivot pin 30 permits the movable arm I3 to rock or tilt relatively to the adjusting screw 25. V

The jaw I4 is associated with, and carried by, the fixed arm I2.' It is located at the outer end of such arm and has a convex upper face and a fiat bottom face. The upper face of the jaw I3 is provided from the front end thereof to the rear end with transversely extending pipe-engaging teeth 33. The bottom portion of the jaw I4 is provided with a pair of laterally spaced, depending, integral lugs 34 and these straddle the outer end of the fixed arm 12. A pin 35 extends through, and is fixed within, a transverse hole 35 in the outer end of the fixed arm I2. The ends of the pin project beyond the sides of the outer end of the arm-i2 and fit within holes 37 in the depending lugs 34 on the jaw I4 in order to permit such jaw to rock or tilt outwards and inwards with respect to the fixed arm I2. The outer portion of the upper surface of the fixed arm I2 is downwardly inclined with respect to the contiguous portion of the upper surface of the fixed arm in order to permit the desired rocking or mentioned patent, each As shown in Figure 4, the jaw I is or center thereof.

errand tilting of the jaw 34; As" shown in my aforeof the holes 31 in the depending lugs 34 of the jaw I4 may have a greater diameter than the pin 35 in order to pr'o'vide proper looseness and enable the jaw readily to seat itself when it is applied to the pipe 21.

The jaw I5 is associated with, and carried the movable arm it. It underlies the outer end of the last mentioned arm and is disposed slightly outwards or forwards of the jaw i i. substantially semi-cylindrical and has a concave bottom face with downwardly extending transverse teeth The curved or arcuate peripheral portion f the jaw I5 fits within a :39 in the lower portion of the outer end of the 'movable arm I3. This recess extends lengthwise semi-circular recess or longitudinally of the movable arm and has its rear or inner end portion in communica- 'tion with a pocket 40. The latter is of less width than the recess 39 and is located between the recess and the socket 2 3 in the central portion of the movable arm I3. The recess 35 has the same radius as the jaw I5 and permits the jaw to turn or rotate back and forth about the axis The upper central portion of the jaw I5 has a longitudinally extending semi-cylindrical cutout t! as shown in Figure 4. A U-shaped clip 42 and a pin d3 serve to hold the jaw it in connected relation with the outer end of the movable arm 93 while at the same time permitting the jaw to rock. or rotate about its axis. The clip 52 is preferably the form of a stamping of heavy gauge metal and consists of a crosspiece M and a pair of side pieces 45. It is so positioned or arranged that the crosspiece 44 and the adjacent ends of the side pieces 45 are disposed in the pocket ill and the outer or free ends of the side pieces project into the cutout ll in the upper central portion of the jaw I5. A transversely extending pin 45 holds the clip immovably in place. This pin has its ends fixedly mounted in aligned holes ii in the portions of the movable arm i3 that define the pocket ll). The central portions of the pin extend through aligned holes in the ends of the clip side pieces 45 that are connected to the crosspiece 44. The outer or free ends of the side pieces of the clip 42 have the upper corners thereof cut away in such manner as to form fingers 48, the upper surfaces of which are convexly curved. The pin 33 extends trans versely across the upper central portion or" the jaw I5 and has its ends fixedly mounted in aligned holes in the jaw. The central portion of the pin 45 extends across the cutout i! and rests on, and engages slidably, the convexly curved upper surfaces of the fingers 48. The pin 43 coacts with the fingers 48 on the free ends of the side pieces 45 of the clip 32 to hold the jaw I5 in connected relation with the outer end of the arm I3 while at the same time permitting the arm to rock or rotate about its center. The outer upper corners of the clip side pieces 65 define shoulders 45 which coacts with the pin 43 to limit counterclockwise turning or rotation of the jaw I5 as viewed in Figures 1 and 2. The jaw I5 is urged in a counterclockwise direction by way of a helical tension spring 50. The latter is located between the side pieces 45 of the clip 52 and has one end thereof anchored to the central portion of the pin 43. The other end of thespring is anchored etc. "a transversely extending pin 5] which is 10- dated outwards of the clip retaining pin 46 and has its ends mounted in aligned holes in the inner ends of the clip side pieces 45.

When the wrench is not in use the spring 55 rotates the jaw I5 a ceunterclockwise direction until the pin 43 strikes against the shoulders 43. When the pin is abutment with the shoulders the tooth equippe bottom surface of the jaw faces forwards and downwards and hence may readily be manipulated into gripping relation with the pipe 2 In connection with application of the wrench to the pipe the jaw i5 is caused to rotate iii a clockwise direction as viewed in Figures 1 and 2 until the teeth 3d are firm gripping'relatioh with the pipe.

In addition to the parts heretofore mentioned the wrench comprises an inverted T-shaped lever 52 which, afte application of the laws It and I5 of the pipe '1')- and in connection with downward swinging "of the handle ll relatively to the body it, automatically causes the "movable arm I3 to move outwards a small distance from the body and also to tilt in such direction as to cause the jaw I 5 thereon to move towards the jaw I4. This lever 52 is located in the central portion of the interior of the body In and is preferably in the form of acne-piece heavy metal stamping. It consists of an outwardly extendin leg 53 an inwardly extending leg 54 and an upwardly extending leg 55. The eutwardiy extending leg 53 is located a small distance above the outer end of the bottom wall I6 of the body It and is pivotally supported by way of a transversely extending pivot pin 56. The latter extends loosely through a circular hole 51 in the outwardl extending leg 53 of the lever 52 and has its ends fixedly mounted in coaxial circular holes 53 in the side walls I! of the wrench body I 0. It forms the articulation "point for the lever and permits the latter to swing upwards and downwards. The inwardly extending leg 54 has a rounded or curved outer extremity and this fits within the notch 22 in the extremity of the pivoted end of the handle I I. When the handle is swung downwards, i. e., in a counterlockwise direction as viewed in Figures 1 and 2, the lever 52 is caused to swing upwards relatively to the body. Reverse or upward swinging of the lever I I results in the lever 52 swinging downwards. The upwardly extending leg 55 of the lever has a rounded upper end and this fits pivotally within a threequarter round socket 59 in the inner end of the movable arm I3 of the wrench. In response to downward swinging of the handle II relatively to the body II the arm I3 is caused to move outwards and also tilt in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figures land '2. When the lever 52 is swung downwards in response to upward swinging of the handle II with respect to the body I i: the movable arm I3 is caused to move inwards and also to tilt in a counterclockwise direction. I

When it is desired to use the wrench to turn the pipe p the user first adjusts the movablearm I3 so as to space apart the jaws I4 and I5 to the proper extent to receive the pipe. The adjustment is effected by turning the screw 25 in one direction or the other, depending upon whether it is desired to move the arm I3 to or from the fixed arm I2. After the arm I3 isproperl 'adjusted so that the jaws are set or positioned to receive the pipe the handle II is swung into the position shown in Figure 1 and the wrench is shifted bodily toward the .pipe in order to bring theajawsointo grippin relation with "opposite portions ofthe pipe. Following shift of the wrench towards the pipe the handle H is swung downwards. In connection with initial downward swinging of the handle the handle swings relatively to the body I and operates through the medium of theinverted T-shaped lever 52 to cause the movable arm 13 to move outwards from the body Ill and also to tilt in such direction as to cause the jaw l firmly to grip the adjacent portion of the pipe. After the jaw 55 is in firm gripping relation with the pipe further downward swinging of the handle will result in corresponding turning of the pipe p. To remove the wrench it is only necessary to swing the arm H upwards relatively to the body. Such swinging movement of the arm results in the lever 52 tilting the movable arm l3 so as to withdraw the jaw l5 from the pipe and also to move such arm bodily towards the body. If it is desired to turn the pipe p in a clockwise direction as viewed in the drawings instead of a counterclockwise direction the wrench is reversed, i. e., it is turned upside down.

The herein described wrench effectively and efficiently fulfills its intended purpose by reason of the fact that it includes the inverted T-shaped lever 52 which in response to swinging movement of the handle I! relatively to the body if! in a direction away from the arm, causes the arm to move outwards and also to tilt to such an extent that its jaw l5 firmly grips the pipe. Due to its specific construction and design the wrench may be produced at a comparatively low cost.

- The adjusting screw 25 permits the movable arm i3 to be quickly adjusted to and from the fixed arm l2 in connection with application of the wrench to pipes of different diameters.

Whereas the wrench has been described as a medium for turnin a pipe it is to be understood that it may be used to turn any other article. It is also to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A pipe wrench comprising a body, a handle having one end thereof pivotally connected to n the body, a first arm having one end thereof connected fixedly to said body and embodying at its outer end a laterally extending pipe-engagin jaw, a second arm disposed in opposed relation with the first arm and having its outer end provided with a laterally extending pipe-engaging jaw, an adjusting screw for moving the second arm to and from the first arm and having the ends thereof pivotally connected respectively to central portions of said arms, and means operative automatically in response to swinging of the handle in one direction relatively to the body after application of the jaws to the pipe to move the second arm outwards away from the body and also to swing or tilt said second arm in such direction as to cause the jaw thereon to move towards the jaw on the first arm, said means embodying a separately formed pivotally mounted lever extending between and operatively connected to said one end of the handle and the inner end of said second arm.

2. A pipe wrench comprising an elongated hollow body, a handle having one end thereof extending into, and pivotally connected to, one end of the body, a first arm having one end thereof connected fixedly to the other end of body and embodying at its outer end a laterally extending pipe-engaging jaw, a second arm disposed in opposed relation with the first arm and having the outer end thereof provided with a laterally extending pipe-engaging jaw and its inner end extending into said other end of the body, an adjusting screw for moving the second arm to and from the first arm and having the ends thereof pivotally connected respectively to central portions of said arms, and means operative automatically in response to swinging of the handle in one direction relatively to the body after application of the jaws to the pipe to move the second arm outwards away from the body and also to swing or tilt said second arm in such direction as to cause the jaw thereon to move towards the jaw on the first arm, said means embodying a separately formed pivotally mounted lever disposed within the body and extending between and operatively connected to said one end of the handle and the inner end of said second arm.

3. A pipe wrench comprising an elongated body, a handle having one end thereof pivotally connected to one end of the body at a point inwards of its extremity so that it is capable of swinging back and forth to a limited extent relatively to the body, a first arm having one end thereof connected fixedly to the other end of the body and embodying at its outer end a laterally extending pipe-engaging jaw, a second arm disposed in opposed relation with the first arm and having its outer end provided with a laterally extending pipe engaging jaw, an adjusting screw for moving the second arm to and from the first arm and having the ends thereof pivotally connected respectively to central portions of said arms, and means operative automatically in response to swinging of the handle relatively to the body in a direction away from the second arm and after application of the jaws to the pipe to move the second arm outwards away from the body and also to swing or tilt said second arm in such direction as to cause the jaw thereon to move towards the jaw on the first arm, said means embodying a T-shaped lever consisting of a first leg pivotally connected to the body at a point adjacent the inner end of the first arm, a second leg operatively connected to the extremity of said one end of the handle, and a third leg in pivotally connected relation with the inner end of said second arm.

4. A pipe wrench comprising an elongated hollow body, a handle having one end thereof extending into one end of the body and pivotally connected thereto at a point inwards of its extremity so that it is capable of swinging back and forth to a limited extent relatively to said body, a first arm having one end thereof connected fixedly to the other end of the body and embodying at its outer end a laterally extending pipe-engaging jaw, a second arm disposed in opposed relation with the first arm and having the outer end thereof provided with a laterally extending pipe-engaging jaw and its inner end projecting into said other end of the body, an adjusting screw for moving the second arm to and from the first arm and having the ends thereof pivotally connected respectively to central portions of said arms, and means operative automatically in response to swinging of the handle relatively to the body in a direction away from the second arm and after application of the jaws to the pipe to move the second arm outwards away from the body and also to swing or tilt said second arm in such direction as to cause the jaw thereon to move towards the jaw on the first arm, said means embodying a T-shaped lever disposed within the body and consisting of a first leg con nected pivotally to the body at a point adjacent the inner end of the first arm, a second leg openatively connected to the extremity of said one end of the handle, and a third leg in pivota lly connected relation with the inner end of said second arm.

5. A pipe wrench comprising an elongated hollow body, a handle having one end thereof ex tending into one end of the body, pivotally connected thereto inwards of its extremity so that it is capable of swinging back and forth to a limited extent relatively to said body, and provided in said extremity with a notch, a first arm having one end thereof fixedly connected to the other end of the body and embodying at its outer end a laterally extending pipe-engaging jaw, a second arm disposed in opposed relation with the first arm and having the outer end thereof pro vided with a laterally extending pipe-engaging jaw and its inner end projecting into said other end of the body, an adjusting screw for moving the second arm to and from the first arm and having the ends thereof pivotally connected respectively to central portions of said arms, and means operative automatically in response to swinging of the handle relatively to the body in a direction away from the second arm and after application of the jaws to the pipe to move the second arm outwards away from the body and also to swing or tilt said second arm in such direction as to cause the jaw thereon to move towards the jaw on the first arm, said means embodying a T-shaped lever disposed within the body and consisting of a first leg connected pivotally to the body at a point adjacent the inner end of the first arm, a second leg extending into the aforesaid notch, and a third leg connected pivotally to the inner end of said second arm.

BENJAMIN L. LURIE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,588,619 Roye et a1. June 15, 1926 2,407,990 Lurie Sept. 24, 1946 2,471,537 Norman May 31, 1949 

